Rev. Dr. Stephen Edward Tucker

Called by God to serve as the founding Pastor of New Commandment Baptist Church, alongside First Lady Roberta, their daughter Steffani, and 22 charter members. 

After only two years, the congregation grew to more than 200 members.

Under his leadership, New Commandment Baptist Church became a beacon of hope in the Park Morton neighborhood and surrounding communities. Pastor Tucker spearheaded ministries such as the substance abuse recovery program, A New and Living Way, food and bread distributions, clothing giveaways, weekly meals for the hungry, annual Thanksgiving dinners and Saturday Church School. He took special pride in the Jobs Partnership Program, developed with Mr. Dan Dyer, which helped many DC area residents secure gainful employment.

Pastor Tucker also built strong and lasting relationships with community members, law enforcement, civic leaders,councilmen, and churches across the DMV, Baltimore, Virginia, Delaware, and as far away as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Indiana.

Born on September 18, 1948, in Indianapolis, Indiana  Pastor Tucker attended Crispus Attucks High School, where he excelled as a star basketball player His athletic ability and academic prowess earned him a full scholarship to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. It was there, in the university library, that he met the love of his life, Roberta Cornell.

After graduation with a bachelor of Arts in History , he briefly taught history at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis before moving to Atlanta, Georgia.

On September 2, 1978, Pastor Tucker married Roberta Cornell, and together they shared 47 years of marriage. While in Atlanta, he was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. ("Daddy King") and Dr. Joseph Roberts. His love for basketball continued, He was widely known as an excellent shooter and was even drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Moving to the Washington, D.C. area and joined New Shiloh Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Harold A. Carter. at New Shiloh that he answered his call to preach the Gospel.

Pastor Tucker pursued theological studies at Saint Mary's Seminary & Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore, earning a Master of Theology, and later received a Doctorate from the Determined Biblical & Theological Institute. Over the years, he received many honors, including the George P. Shultz Award from Secretary of State Colin L. Powell for his tireless community service, and the National Edward Rhodes Award for Urban Ministry from the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A.

In 2021, Pastor Tucker published his memoir, In the Wilderness in Urban Ministry. He served on the boards of Project Bridges and the DC Students' Construction Trades Foundation.

From 2021 to 2024, he faithfully served as President of the National Capital Baptist Convention of D. C. and Vicinity.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Edward Tucker was peacefully received into the arms of his Savior on September 10, 2025.  His Legacy of Service and Sacrifice shall live on.